Sight words and phonicsKindergarten
Kindergarten sight words list
A checklist of the 52 Dolch primer words in two columns, each with three small boxes. A parent or teacher ticks a box each time the child reads the word correctly.
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On this page
What prints
This is an adult-facing tracking sheet rather than a child's worksheet. The title reads "Primer Sight Words: Checklist". Under it, the 52 Dolch primer words run down two columns in bold type, in list order: all, am, are, at, ate and on through yes. Beside every word are three small empty squares, headed 1st, 2nd and 3rd. A thin rule separates each row.
The instructions on the sheet say to point to each word, tick the first box when the word is read correctly, and use the others on later checks. They also suggest noting the dates at the top. There is no answer key and no child writing involved.
The settings
- Word list. This page opens on Primer. Four other levels are offered, from Pre-primer up to Third grade, and each fits on one page.
- Activity. Set to "Checklist to test each word". The "Words on the page" setting appears only for the trace activity, so it does not apply here.
Why three boxes
One correct read can be luck. A word read correctly on three separate days is much more likely to be known. The three columns give you a place to record that without keeping a separate notebook. Many families use the first box for the first check, the second a week later, and the third after a month.
Keep the pace relaxed. Ask about ten words in a sitting, point at them in the order printed or jump around to catch children who have memorized the sequence, and wait a few seconds before helping. Mark only reads that are quick and unprompted.
Worked example: a week of checks
On Monday, sit with your child and the sheet. They read all, am, are, at, ate, be, black, brown, but, came and stumble on brown and came. You tick the first box beside the eight they read cleanly and leave brown and came blank.
On Wednesday, make word cards for just those two (see sight word flash cards) and practice them in short bursts. On Friday, ask the same ten again. Both words are now read quickly, so you tick their first boxes, and for the other eight you tick the second.
By the end of the month, the pattern of ticks shows at a glance which words are secure and which still need work. Put the sheet in a folder, and bring it to a conference if a teacher asks what you have been practicing.
When to move on
If most primer words have all three boxes ticked, begin the next level with first grade sight words. Sight words are one piece of early reading. Letter sounds and blending matter just as much, as the standards for kindergarten foundational skills show.
Sources
- Common Core State Standards: Reading Foundational Skills, Kindergarten (RF.K.3.c, high-frequency words) thecorestandards.org
- Reading Rockets: Phonics and Decoding readingrockets.org